Darwin Wharf

Thursday 4th August we took Joan and Julie to the Stokes Hill Darwin Wharf for tea.  The Australian National Maritime Museum's replica of Captain Cook's ship HM Bark Endeavour was making an historic circumnavigation of Australia and was at the Wharf for a week or so and we wanted to see it too as well as visit the wharf.   The wharf is a very popular place for dining out and you can sit right at the edge of the wharf to eat and there are no safety railings!!!!   We had a really nice meal of Barramundi chips and salad.      After leaving the wharf we called at the Mindil Markets for dessert (fresh tropical fruit salad and ice-cream, Julie had mini pancakes, topping and ice-cream).

The Brolga Award winning Stokes Hill Wharf is a symbol of the growing Top End’s development – linking the history of its colourful past to modern day living and pointing its directions to the future with the further redevelopment of the surrounding waterfront areas.

The history of the Wharf dates back to the early 1800s with the arrival of European settlers. They soon established the overland telegraph by laying cable from Java to Darwin. The hard work of the early settlers and pioneers soon was paid off with the rewards of the goldrush and the pastoral industry which determined the fate of Darwin.

On 19th February 1942, the Japanese bombed Darwin, with the Wharf bearing the full force of the invasion. Many ships and amphibious planes were sunk and many civilians, service personnel and waterside workers lost their lives.

Withstanding the hardships and tragedies of its perilous past, the Wharf survived only to be under attack again by the forces of Cyclone Tracy in 1974.

Regardless, the Wharf Precinct area is now an important contributor to the Territory’s economy by providing a world class cruise ship berth at Fort Hill Wharf and servicing leisure craft, fishing vessels and smaller commercial vessels at Stokes Hill Wharf. Not forgetting of course, the international and Australian naval vessels who are regular visitors to Fort Hill.

There are a wide range of eateries at the wharf featuring many national and international dishes. You may make your selection and eat next to the pristine waters of Darwin Harbour under a canopy of a million stars whilst watching the barramundi, batfish, dolphins and many other species of fish that gather under the lights in the aquatic reserve. There is also a licensed takeaway bar in the eatery and a dedicated dessert shop. The tropical sea breezes make this a very popular outdoor venue for locals and visitors alike

Joan (left) and Julie in front of the Endeavour Replica

Endeavour Replica

Diners on the Darwin Wharf

Tables right to the edge of the wharf (a long way above the water)!!!!